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These are my old [[Personal Updates]] from 2012.
[[Category:Personal Updates]]

==2/5/2012 IAP Personal Update==

Classes start in only a few days. Let me give you an update about the semester past, my break, IAP, and the semester ahead.

====Last Semester====
[[File:Papers Fall 2012.JPG|thumb|Fall 2012 Paper. 22.5 in. 12.5 reams.]]
Last semester was my best semester yet. I ended up with a 4.6/5.0 term GPA, despite taking the most units ever - 81 vs 79 last term. I got an A in [[6.005]], [[15.387]], [[15.665]], and [[STS.011]]. I got a A- in [[6.034]] and a B in [[6.004]] (just barely). I continued to struggle in math, squeaking by [[18.03]] with a C-. I went through 12.5 reams of paper - producing a 22.5 in stack, versus 19 inches Spring 2011 and 16 inches in Fall 2010. The typed and scanned notes from these class are now online.

====Working out a System====
Last term I recorded all of the policy and procedures that I have created to allow me to be as productive as I can be. I wrote down my time management, paper shuffling, studying, sleep, and food tips in [[Working out a System]]. I also [[Kanban Proposal|proposed a "kanban" system]] which would help me and other students stay organized.

====High School Papers====
Over break I scanned many papers from [[Haverford High School|high school]]. I scanned the papers I has remaining from [[10th Grade|10th]] and [[11th Grade|11th grade]]. These were the papers that had gotten wet in the flood. About 40% of each year got soaked. Luckily these were the years I had already scanned. I also scanned [[9th Grade|9th grade]] files. Previously, I had added computer files, but no scanned files from 9th grade. 10th and 11th Grade had scanned papers - but most were scanned at pretty bad quality. The old files continue to be spread across image files. The new files continue to be large PDFs from my [[ScanSnap S1500]]. Unfortunately Scribd does not process files over 100MB, so you have to download the entire PDF. Look for the link under the Scribd preview.

I believe I forgot to mention in my last update that I added files from middle school. [[7th Grade|7th]] and [[8th Grade|8th grade]] now have typed assignments. I still need to scan my notes from then. Hopefully my basement does not flood again before that!

====Chicago====
I went to Chicago with Melanie the first week in January. Check out my photos from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/collections/72157628771000133/ the trip]. I went to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157628770534935/ the Planetarium], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157628770579135/ the Aquarium], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157628770599837/ the Field Museum], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157628770706285/ the Chicago Theater], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157628770737093/ the Willis Tower], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157628770843063/ a Bus tour], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157628770919349/ the Museum of Science], and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157628770952311/ the University of Chicago].

====AltVil====
Over IAP, I worked at [[Altman Vilandrie & Company]] as an analyst extern. I worked for 3 weeks on a data center due diligence. The last week I worked on the hospitality strategy for a major cable/satellite provider. I enjoyed the second project much more.

I am already noticing changes of how I look at a situation. For example at a [[HDC]] meeting last Wednesday, I felt like I was thinking more objectively about how to solve a problem. I thought about building an Excel model to solve a particular problem. I am also more confident with best practices. This was my first job truly in the "big leagues." I also feel like I am thinking more clearly. For example, I am noticing that I often start with a topic sentence that overviews the detail points and then I dive deeper into each of the points. Perhaps I always did that, but I seem to be more aware of it now.

My favorite part of the job was piecing the parts of the puzzle together. You're like a detective - always learning more information. And with consulting the whole puzzle starts fresh every month or two. I liked conducting the interviews and discussing the case with my coworkers. On the flip side, consultants are very aware about little issues - like how much to contact someone or phrase things. After seeing it, I think it does help in appearing professional and getting work done, but it is just something to learn. I think I certainly learned and got better at that as the job went on, but it irked me. It's just not my current personality.

I'm not sure what job I want to do after school. I still need to figure out where my competitive advantage is. So far I have tried coding, consulting, and next summer I will try product management again.

====Disney====
As I talked about in my last update, I have accepted a position at [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online ]]next summer. Parks and Resorts Online is the internet sales and marketing channel for the Disney parks, cruise ships, and guided tour businesses. I'm excited to get to work as a product manager. This has historically (ie. before [[MIT]]) been my dream job - so I will see what it is actually like. I ended up doing something similar at [[Deutsche Bahn]] on [[Touch&Travel]].

I'm particular exited to get to work so close with [[Imagineering]] - which is the high temple of theme park design. As a kid I used to think a lot about experience design, floorplans, branding, etc to create an immersive experience. Disney is known worldwide as the pinnacle of branding/experience design. In [[Haverford Middle School|middle school]], I was involved in [[theater]]. After going to MIT and doing management consulting, I want to reinvigorate that creative spirit. Now, this is still a pretty much a "business job," but I hope to get to work with creative people.

====ThePlaz.com====
Speaking of what I have done before, I have written or tuned up many pages on [http://theplaz.com ThePlaz.com] about things that I have done in the past. I added pages or added content to pages about [[:Category:Place|places I have lived]], [[:Category:MIT_Committee|MIT committees]], [[theater]], and [[:Category:Sites|my websites]].

====Next Semester====
[[File:Spring 2012 Schedule.png|thumb|My Spring 2012 Schedule]]
I have planned out [[:File:Spring 2012 Schedule.png|a draft schedule for next semester]]. I have [[Classes to Graduate Spring 2012|18 classes left to graduate]]. I have I have to take [[18.06|18.06 Linear Algebra]] (it's about matrices); I'll probably do poorly on that. Next I'm taking [[6.006|6.006 Introduction to Algorithms]]. I am particularly interested in this class because most of the computer programmer interviews ask these sorts of questions. I am also taking the required [[6.033|6.033 Computer System Engineering]]. I have no idea what that is about - but it's required. I am also taking an AUS [[6.813|6.813 User Interface Design and Implementation]] because it fit into my schedule and it sound the most interesting. On the management side I am taking [[15.571|15.571 Business Strategy and the Role of IT]], one of the classes for the Sloan IT concentration. In addition, I've been interested in how IT can help big companies streamline while providing better service. I am also hoping to take [[15.053|15.053 Optimization Methods in Management Science]]. I can't make the recitation, so this would be the first class I drop. I am taking [[15.301|15.301 Managerial Psychology Laboratory]], a required, basic course 15 class that I have not managed to take yet. Rounding it out, I am hoping to get into [[17.50|17.50 Introduction to Comparative Politics]] a HASS-D #4 class to fill the second of my 3 HASS D slots.

I am concerned that my schedule this semester is too heavy on math, which I have traditionally spent more time on.

That's all for now. It's time to get geared up for the next semester. --[[User:ThePlaz|ThePlaz]] 16:57, 5 February 2012 (EST)

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	That's all for now. It's time to get geared up for the next semester. --[[User:ThePlaz\|ThePlaz]] 16:57, 5 February 2012 (EST)		That's all for now. It's time to get geared up for the next semester. --[[User:ThePlaz\|ThePlaz]] 16:57, 5 February 2012 (EST)
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	==7/23/2012 Summer Personal Update==		==7/23/2012 Summer Personal Update==

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	I think my 5 internships have given me good perspective on the good and the bad. For some of the other interns at Disney this is their first internship. Between my internships, school classes, and MIT leadership opportunities, I think I’m much more aware of the differences between places, the reasons those differences exist, and attempting to answer which is better. As to another major change I've noticed, I think I've become much more Establishment.--[[User:ThePlaz\|ThePlaz]] 21:57, 23 July 2012 (EDT)		I think my 5 internships have given me good perspective on the good and the bad. For some of the other interns at Disney this is their first internship. Between my internships, school classes, and MIT leadership opportunities, I think I’m much more aware of the differences between places, the reasons those differences exist, and attempting to answer which is better. As to another major change I've noticed, I think I've become much more Establishment.--[[User:ThePlaz\|ThePlaz]] 21:57, 23 July 2012 (EDT)
		+
		+	==9/9/2012 Back to School Personal Update==
		+
		+	We are one week into classes at MIT. Well 3 days into classes.
		+
		+	[[File:MIT Senior Fall-Schedule.png\|thumb\|Fall 2012 Schedule]]
		+	=====Classes=====
		+	This means I have had about one session of each class. [[7.012\|7.012 Bio]] looks interesting. You have to get there 15 minutes early to get a seat. We will see how long that lasts. Plus the Professors said they are focusing on learning the patterns, not memorizing. [[6.858\|6.858 Computer Security]] started out with a lecture on the systemic aspects of security - something I am familiar with. [[2.009\|2.009 Product Design]] seems like a fun lecture, but I don't know if I want to put the time into the projects, let alone the homework. [[14.72\|14.72 Capitalism and its Critics]] had some interesting reading - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountainhead The Fountainhead] - which is about individualism. Ted, one of my friends, pulled me into his [[15.495\|15.495 Quantitative Finance]] class. I'm not that into making money via hedge funds and the like - so while it would be interesting to learn, I don't think I will take it. [[6.046\|6.046 Algorithms]] looks like it will be hard, especially since they require formal proofs. I am still not really comfortable with that. [[STS.085\|STS.085 Internet Policy]] seems really fun. We have Hal Abelson, as well as Danny Weitzner, the former Deputy CTO for Internet Policy in the Obama White House, and Alan Davidson, the former Head of Public Policy at Google. While I seem to already be familiar with much of the classes' material, it will be a fun semester to dive deeper with these lecturers. My new [[iPad]] is turning out pretty handy both during the school day, and reading/studying back home since I am easily able to assess supplemental material.
		+
		+	=====Baker REX=====
		+	Before classes started, I had already been on campus for over a week and a half (since 8/23). I've been on campus so long, because as [[Baker President]], I had to entertain over 130 freshmen living in [[Baker House]], plus the others who came to visit, during "[[Residence Exploration Week]]" or REX.
		+
		+	I think we had a tremendous REX. [[CPW]] and REX are our opportunities to brand Baker for the new students and establish the tone for the upcoming year. We made signs and banners to advertise our events - all in the same visual identity as the rest of Baker. We played music all weekend to try and liven up the campus area.
		+
		+	[[File:Baker Skyline 2012.jpg\|thumb\|Skyline]]
		+
		+	We gave out over [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475720082/ 300 servings of Ice Cream and give tours to about 100 people]. We had about [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475727258/ 30 parents at our 2 parents events]. I think most parents came during CPW and didn't want to go to the same event twice. About [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475731748/ 200-250 people came to our stargazing event] thrown by our former astronaut and Housemaster, Jeff Hoffman. We had to move Sunrise inside due to the rain, but I think we still did about [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475743032/ 200-250 servings of waffles and freshly squeezed orange juice]. It takes the dining hall about a month to go through that much waffle batter. Over [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475737402/ 740 people came to our party Skyline] - a record I think! (The school newspaper ''The Tech'' called it "boring" and "not well attended". [http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N34/review.html] I'm not sure where they get their facts from.) On the other hand, Baker Confidential, a new event imposed system-wide by MIT Housing, was a total disaster. The administration also handed out meal tickets to other groups during that time who didn't respect our event. However, overall we had one of the highest retention rates ever - only [http://tech.mit.edu/V132/N33/housing.html 4 out of 130] people wanted to leave Baker. Normally, we have about 10 out of 100 wanted to leave.
		+
		+	Rooming also went pretty well. We added a [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475750642/ BBQ outside] to allow people to mingle and find their roommates and people they want to live near. For the BBQ we used our dining hall, Bon Appetite to provide pre-prepared food that we just had to cook. To stand out from the other groups, we also did better food than hot dogs and hamburgers. This all worked out pretty well. We had some icebreakers prepared - but everyone seemed to get along so well we didn't have to use them. I also redid the [[:File:Baker Rooming Sheets.pdf\|rooming forms]] so the instructions would be more clear. That was a fun exercise in information design. We took 4 hours to do the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475756146/ actual rooming]. We were trying to design the floors such that the majority of the people would be happy. I think we largely succeeded. We had 2 rooms that were very unhappy, and a further 2-3 rooms that were somewhat unhappy. We were able to move the very unhappy rooms so that they were then happy with their situation.
		+
		+	Overall, I am really happy how the everyone worked together to make the events come together and be a big success. We did a much larger volume than most of the other dorms and it’s a challenge to move this many people through at such high volumes. We only had a few hiccups - the little details have degraded our REX events in the past. For example, we had a steady supply of cold drinks all night, arranged in an organized fashion.
		+
		+	=====Disney=====
		+	I enjoyed my time at [[Disney]]. I got first hand experience in how Disney manages its [[Disney Parks and Resorts Online\|Parks and Resorts Online]] operations. I got to think about not only the low level, concrete stuff (how often you release) but the larger strategy issues about team size, use of contractors, and team organization. I also had incredible freedom to explore. I met with MIT alumni around Disney, including both executives and recent graduates. I really enjoyed doing these meetings and I think it was pretty informative to learn about the different divisions of Disney. On really busy days, Disney has this program called Cross-U where office workers can work in the park. I did that twice. I also learned about Disney's attention to detail in how they develop products - both on our websites and in the actual parks.
		+
		+	On the other hand, WDPRO had mostly people who were in the later stage of their career because they enjoyed the 9-5 aspect of the work and the stability of working for a large company. I think I am looking for something a little different coming out of school. I think the right moment for me at Disney is later on - I think it would be fun to be a VP - but how do I get there? What is the best intermediate step? It could be the right role at Disney - depending on what they offer.
		+
		+	=====Summer Photos=====
		+	At the end of my summer in LA, I drove down to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475318912/ San Diego] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475466592/ drove to Las Vegas] ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475487998/ Day 1] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475502562/ Day 2]) and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475521972/ Primm]. My brother also came to visit and we saw [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475376322/ USC], the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475383752/ Hollywood Sign], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475400250/ Magic Mountain], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475409074/ Pasadena], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475417922/ CalTech], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475437664/ Harvey Mudd], and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475445922/ UCLA]. I also went to [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475561240/ Disneyland] and [http://www.flickr.com/photos/theplaz/sets/72157631475586182/ California Adventure] one last time with my friend Eddie.
		+
		+	=====After MIT=====
		+	This is also the time where I need to think about what I want to do after school. I spent 6 hours thinking about what I liked about each of the 5 internships that I had. I came up with a [[What Drives Me and What I Want to Do\|list of characteristics]]. I realized that almost all of the items were related to characteristics of the work environment, not the industry or job title. Now certainly each job implements each of the characteristics to a different extent, and this is something I have to think through. Here's a short summary:
		+
		+	*I want a challenging work environment
		+	**The industry/work doesn’t matter as much as being pushed to learn something new and improve
		+	**I want an all-consuming project that I want to stay late for and to be proud of
		+	*A group of super smart peers to work with and motivate me to improve
		+	*A team that complements each other and provides unique perspectives
		+	*A boss that provides constant growth challenges
		+	*Somewhere where I can add unique value and make an impact
		+	*Somewhere I can take responsibility for my work
		+
		+	I have already gone to a few info sessions and submitted a good number of applications for a full time position. This seems to be what I am most excited about right now at MIT. Hopefully the work wraps up before classes get hard.
		+
		+	That's all for now, back to work for classes, Baker, and job apps.--[[User:ThePlaz\|ThePlaz]] 11:10, 9 September 2012 (EDT)

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 For my AUS class, I picked [[6.858|6.858 Computer Systems Security]].  I heard that in the first lab with write a buffer overflow attack.  I hope to pick up low-level programming skills (i.e. C)  and learn how to actually write attacks.  I heard that the labs are long and hard, but it seemed like the best choice as to what I was interested in.  For my HASS D class, I picked [[14.72|14.72 Capitalism and its Critics]].  This seems like an interesting class about different economic systems - I picked it partially because it is from the econ department, something I want more exposure to.   My top choice was [[17.30|17.30 Making Public Policy]], but this has a time conflict with [[6.046]].  As alternate choices, I put down [[17.40|17.40 American Foreign Policy]] and [[STS.003|STS.003 The Rise of Modern Science]].  I liked the book [http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Ashes-The-History-CIA/dp/038551445X Legacy of Ashes], but I prefer econ more; and I think I've heard enough about the start of science with [[STS.050]] and [[STS.011]].
-So with my 6 classes this semester I might be bored.  I'm considering picking [[2.009]], the famous product design lab.  I've always liked the idea of the class, so when I got an email from the professor announcing that the class was looking for non-course 2's I was intrigued.  I do want to spend more time on self exploration on other topics and greater depth on in-class topics, but I'm skeptical how much that will happen once the rubber meets the road.
+So with my 5 classes this semester I might be bored.  I'm considering picking [[2.009]], the famous product design lab.  I've always liked the idea of the class, so when I got an email from the professor announcing that the class was looking for non-course 2's I was intrigued.  I do want to spend more time on self exploration on other topics and greater depth on in-class topics, but I'm skeptical how much that will happen once the rubber meets the road.
 So in the spring semester I still have to take [[15.053]] or [[15.058]] as well as [[15.075]], both Sloan math classes.  I probably should not be taking those so late, but that's when they fit in.  Plus I need to do a third HASS D class, as well as my course 6 project 6.UAP.  I also need to take 1 more PE class at some point.  I also want to take advantage of cross registration with Harvard for some class to say that I've done it...

@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 [[File:Disneyland.JPG|thumb|200px|Disneyland June 2012]]
 ====Disney====
-I am now 8 weeks into my internship at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online.  WDPRO builds the websites and mobile apps for the Disney parks and other travel operations.  I’ve been having a great time here at Disney.  I'm working on a mobile project for Cruise Line and a project to improve reference material here at WDPRO.  I'm a product management intern, working for the VP of the division.  I'm getting great exposure to what it is like to be a PDM intern here.  As at [[Deutsche Bahn]], I have a lot of freedom to use my time where I think is most effective.
+I am now 8 weeks into my internship at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online.  WDPRO builds the websites and mobile apps for the Disney parks and other travel operations.  I’ve been having a great time here at Disney.  I'm working on a project for Cruise Line and a project to improve reference material here at WDPRO.  I'm a product management intern, working for the VP of the division.  I'm getting great exposure to what it is like to be a PDM intern here.  As at [[Deutsche Bahn]], I have a lot of freedom to use my time where I think is most effective.
 One change from [[NextJump|last summer]] is that Disney cares about quality.  In fact, quality is the number one concern here.  This makes the work environment 180 degrees different.  It means a lot of concern over issues that on the surface look trivial.  But when you consider the millions of people that pour though our parks every year, it starts making sense.  A Disney parks experience means quality.  If you think about the newly opened [http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/cars-land/ Cars Land], every little detail from the type of grass to the building architecture has been obsessed over for years by teams of people. Disney has a lot of people, who are managing every detail.  This means there are a lot of people involved in any project.  It’s very different from the small team mentality of other firms – but those companies don’t have anywhere near the integration that Disney has.

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 [[File:Disneyland.JPG|thumb|200px|Disneyland June 2012]]